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Amarinder for direct corridor to Kartarpur Sahib

Staff Correspondent

For the sake of devotees who could not visit the historic shrine since Partition

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said that the State Government would initiate necessary efforts with the Union Government to seek a direct corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan for the sake of devotees who have not had a chance to pay obeisance at the historic shrine since Partition.

Making the announcement at a rally in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, Capt. Singh said he had already taken up this matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter's recent visit to Amritsar. He disclosed that Dr. Singh had asked for a detailed proposal to enable India to take up the matter with the President Parvez Musharraf of Pakistan.

Later talking to reporters, Capt. Singh said that the State Government would soon approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court to reconsider its decision on ordering the closure of schools running in private and other buildings. He said it was not feasible to immediately close down 5100 such institutions, which would jeopardise the future of 7.5lakh children.

Responding to another question about Congress president Sonia Gandhi's decision to resign from the post of chairperson of Jallianwala Bagh Trust, Capt. Singh said she had demonstrated utmost faith in the democratic system by upholding moral and ethical values. He said that despite it being not an office of profit Ms. Gandhi had resigned and the BJP must await the consequences of her decision in the coming Lok Sabha by-election in Amethi.

Lashing out at the Akalis, Capt. Singh they did not have a single achievement that could be highlighted except looting the public exchequer for their vested political interests.

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Amarinder for direct corridor to Kartarpur Sahib

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